Buzz
Wrapping a book with paper helps protect its hardcover from getting worn out or torn. If you prefer not to use plastic or fabric covers, paper bags are a great eco-friendly alternative. Using a brown paper bag also allows for personalization, giving you the freedom to design and decorate it as you wish. All you need is some scissors, tape, and a few creative folds to wrap the cover of any book.
Steps
Prepare the paper
Choose the paper bag you'd like to use for wrapping the book. The bag should be at least twice as wide as the book to cover both the front and back covers. It also needs to be around 7.5 cm taller than the book’s height to ensure a snug fit.
Cut the brown paper bag along the crease lines on both sides of the bag. You can choose either side to cut, but avoid cutting the bottom. Also, do not cut both sides of the bag; just one side will do. If the bag has handles, remove them.
Cut the folded part to create the bottom of the bag. Make sure not to cut more than 2cm to 5cm. You will need a large sheet of paper for this step.
Place the book in the center of the sheet of paper. Ensure the paper is large enough to completely wrap around the book. Double-check that it covers both the front and back covers of the book.
Wrapping the Book
Fold the paper over to wrap the bottom of the book. Fold a line along the bottom edge of the book. You can use double-sided tape to secure the fold if you wish. This will help keep the paper tight around the book cover.
Place the book on the crease at the bottom, ensuring the edges are aligned. Then fold the paper over the top of the book. Once again, feel free to use tape to secure the fold in place. Afterward, remove the book from the paper cover.
- Measure the folds you just made. The folds should be at least 4 cm high.
Fold the crease you just created inward into the paper. At this point, you'll have a long piece of paper large enough to wrap the book from front to back.
- Avoid creating new creases over the existing folds in the paper. This will weaken the book cover and make it more prone to tearing.
Place the book in the center of the paper. Fold the paper over the front cover of the book from left to right and adjust the position of the book until the edges of the paper are aligned evenly.
Fold the excess paper inside the front cover of the book. Create a crease, then tuck the front cover of the book into the groove formed by the neatly folded paper at the top and bottom of the paper. Pull the paper snugly against the book until it touches the crease.
Fold the excess paper inside the back cover of the book. Create a crease, then slide the back cover of the book into the groove created by the neatly folded paper at the top and bottom. Tighten the paper around the book until it meets the crease.
Stop when the book is properly wrapped. If the paper cover is not tightly fitted to the book, or if the top and bottom folds are not aligned correctly, you can use a few small pieces of tape to secure the folds inside.
- However, avoid sticking the paper cover directly to the book's cover; it will shift when you open the book, potentially damaging the cover.
Decorate the book cover, if desired. Remove the book and add stickers, drawings, or other designs to the paper cover. You can also include a name tag or use an eye-catching font to write the book's title. Additionally, you could create designs on separate paper and attach them to the cover using glue or double-sided tape. Once done, wrap the paper cover back onto the book.
Advice
- For a more durable cover, take the book out and unfold the creases so that the paper returns to its original state. Cut a piece of self-adhesive laminating film to cover the entire exterior of the paper. Peel off the backing and carefully apply the film to the paper, smoothing it out as you go to prevent any bubbles. Then, fold the paper cover back around the book.
- If stores don't provide paper bags when shopping, you can buy a roll of brown wrapping paper to use as a book cover. Cut a piece long enough to cover the front, back, and spine, with at least 7.5cm of excess on each side.
- If you have a color printer and scanner, you can photocopy the front cover, back cover, and spine of the book, then paste the copies onto the paper cover.
Things You Will Need
- A book
- Paper bag or a roll of brown wrapping paper
- Scissors
- Tape (optional)
- Some decorations for the paper cover (optional)
- Cardboard or adhesive laminating film to reinforce the cover (optional)
